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NFL Hall of Famers help fundraise for kids in Newburgh

NEWBURGH - When most modern-day Colts fans think of a great quarterback, the first name that comes to mind is probably Peyton Manning. But back in the glory days of the Baltimore Colts, it was Johnny Unitas.

NEWBURGH - When most modern-day Colts fans think of a great quarterback, the first name that comes to mind is probably Peyton Manning. But back in the glory days of the Baltimore Colts, it was Johnny Unitas.

Ted Hendricks, a NFL Hall of Famer who took part in Kindervision’s “The Greatest Save” charity fundraiser Monday at Victoria National, played with Unitas in Baltimore.

“In practice, he would look one way and throw the other and I told him he was messing with me. He told me that was the point,” said Hendricks, a linebacker who played in Baltimore from 1969 to ’73. "He was a great friend of mine and probably the best quarterback I played with.”

Unitas and Hendricks combined to lead the Colts to the 1970 Super Bowl championship.

A member of three Super Bowl championship teams with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, Hendricks also played for the Green Bay Packers. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 1990, the same year Evansville native and Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese was inducted.

“Bob knew the defenses he was playing against,” Hendricks said. “That’s why they called him a cerebral quarterback. He always studied film, along with (the Raiders’ Kenny) Stabler. They really knew exactly what defense was going to do and where to attack.”

Hendricks and fellow Hall of Famers Richard Dent and Chris Doleman were among 11 former NFL players who took part in a Celebrity VIP reception Monday night. They will participate in a Celebrity Golf outing Tuesday.

Dent and Doleman both played defensive end. Playing for the Chicago Bears, Dent was named Most Valuable Player of the 1985 Super Bowl. He played for three other teams, including the Indianapolis Colts in 1996.

Doleman played for three teams, primarily the Minnesota Vikings.

“We’re really happy to be here and join them in the festivities and making a lot of money for their cause,” said Hendricks, 69 .

Although it might be unpopular in the Hoosier State to voice consternation about the Colts’ unannounced move from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the wee hours of March 29, 1984, Hendricks had no problem doing so.

“It bothered me that they really sold the team to Mr. (Robert) Irsay and they got rid of all the old veterans,” Hendricks said. “And it was just devastating that they were cleaning house.”

Nicknamed the “Mad Stork” for his tall (6-foot-7) and gangly frame, Hendricks moved from defensive end to linebacker as a rookie. He was named to the NFL’s 75th anniversary all-time team in 1994 and named the No. 82 player of all time by the NFL Network.

“I was proud to be in the Hall and proud of all the players in there,” Hendricks said. “They’re a great bunch of guys and they certainly deserve to be in there.”